New Zealand's Sam Cane ruled out of November internationals with fractured neck

New Zealand flanker Sam Cane is set to miss the November internationals following a fractured neck that he sustained in the final round of the Rugby Championship clash against South Africa in Pretoria last weekend.

The injury came after he collided with South Africa's Francois Louw and was forced off the field in the 37th minute with Ardie Savea replacing him.

According to the statement made by New Zealand Rugby, the 26-year-old underwent a surgery on his neck on Sunday and will remain in South Africa for a while before returning home.

New Zealand doctor Tony Page also confirmed the news on Cane and said he will need up to three months of rehabilitation which effectively puts him out of contention for the game against Australia later this month and also the November series.

“We have every confidence he will do well with the operation and like any fracture it will probably take about three months for the bone to get strong and we’ll take it step by step," he said.

“The operation is really just to keep everything in the right place so the bone can heal on its own accord. Many sportsmen have had this injury as have people in other walks of life and they usually make a good recovery.

“Sam is in good spirits. He was obviously sore in the middle of the night, as you are after a fracture, but he is being well looked after and he’s getting lots of support, lots of texts and phone calls.”